MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Blatter joins Brazilian protestors, tells politicians “need to take responsibility”

FIFA is concerned about a repeat of June demonstrations during the 2014 World Cup (Pic: AFP)

Sepp Blatter, president of FIFA, has placed heavy pressure on World Cup 2014 organisers Brazil, after witnessing the social unrest that accompanied the Confederations Cup during June.

“We cannot start making conclusions from the protests that occurred in Brazil. Brazil's politicians need to take responsibility,” said the Swiss national.

“If the same things happen next year, we would have to admit that Brazil was not the right place for the World Cup,” the FIFA chief added.

Blatter also mentioned the inadequate share of resources in the huge South American country, with a population of almost 200 million. However “FIFA cannot be held responsible for that,” he stated.

Blatter's fears were dismissed by a statement from Brazil's Sports Ministry: “Brazil is a democratic country, which guarantees its citizens full freedom of speech and expression”, the missive released on Thursday affirmed.

During the Confederations Cup, which was taken as a dress rehearsal for the Brazilian authorities, massive social protest movements were seen across the nation, with more than 1 million demonstrators taking to the streets on 20 June.

Those involved criticised price rises in public transport, and have also spoke out against public service quality in general, rampant corruption in the political class and the enormous sums invested in the organisation of the Confederations Cup and World Cup 2014.